Flamin Hot Cheeto Crunch (Printable Version)

Crunchy mix of spicy Flamin Hot Cheetos, crisp cucumber, cilantro, and lime-hot sauce dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 2 cups Flamin Hot Cheetos, coarsely crushed
02 - 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
03 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
05 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Tapatío, Valentina, or Sriracha)
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Place the diced cucumber and chopped cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Pour the dressing over the cucumber and cilantro, tossing gently to combine.
04 - Just before serving, add the crushed Flamin Hot Cheetos and toss lightly until evenly coated.
05 - Serve immediately to maintain maximum crunch.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in ten minutes flat, perfect for when you need something bold and satisfying without any fuss.
  • The contrast between the fiery, crunchy Cheetos and cool cucumber keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • It's genuinely fun to eat and always gets people talking about how unexpectedly good it is.
02 -
  • The Cheetos will lose their crunch if they sit in the dressing for more than a minute or two—this is why you add them at the very last second, not before.
  • Taste your dressing before it touches the vegetables because the lime juice and hot sauce ratio matters, and you want it bold enough to stand up to those spicy Cheetos.
03 -
  • If the bag of Flamin Hot Cheetos has been sitting open for a while, buy a fresh one—stale snack food ruins the whole vibe of this dish.
  • Chill your cucumber beforehand if you have time; that cool contrast with the spicy heat is part of what makes people keep going back for more.
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